Intestigation: 13

"You don't seem to be from around here", Nirev says poking his arrow wound. "Why haven't you been to town yet?", he asks, although without implying suspicion.

"Who says I haven't been to town? But your right I'm not from around here.... I was hired to make sure you guys succeed at your quest..... Colonel John Smith at your service." *gives my best reassuring smile I can* (not trying to be mean and i promise i have a game plan about giving a false name for now if the GM wants i can tell you in PM)

Persuasion/ Deception same modifier: 10

(Roll with it .... I want to see how this is played out ..... that's a low roll ... as you all herd this .... pm me a roll and see if you can get higher or lower...to believe it or take for what it is.... a handful of BS that didn't stick to the wall..)

On rolls like this in the future.... 

Tell your thoughts or share your story ... and PM me your skill roll on deception. Then tell me what your shooting for..... I will get the party roll in a PM on there perception.... and I give a quick though how you took the speech...  maybe the majority of the party took it how it is... can convince the others...  this will give the game more of a role playing effect.. no one knows each other's rolls... no one knows how they perceptive it... maybe he's telling the truth but just didn't convince you...because of a bad roll... maybe he crys wolf to many times... 

"Your help is appreciated, Colonel. But it is not needed." Nirev says in his most polite voice. He seems to be ignoring the pain he and his friends suffered during the previous combat. "But since you're here, you can help us carry some meat", the half elf says giving in to his friendly self. 

He, then starts to cut down the buck to harvest its meat and motions towards the gnolls, expecting someone to collect their ears for the sheriff.

Nature: 25

"You're funny! I like him. Do you like him?" Milo tugs at Baredark's hand, pointing at the colonel. "I think he has lots of funny stories to tell. Where you in many wars, Coln...Colonl... Cur... how do you say it? Johnny, then. Where you in many wars, Johnny?"

The halfling smiles broadly, grinning happily from beneath his wrap-like robe. 

As Milo tugs at Baredark's hand, Baredark stops glowering at the newcomer to smile down at Milo, "Yeah, I guess I can trust him."

Survival: 16 "Nirev, cut that out. Dress it and string it up to drain. We can tie it to a limb and carry it back. Stays fresh that way."

Baredark then moves to start collecting the ears of his recently killed gnoll.

Nirev is startled by Baredark's snap and decides, on his own of course, to do exactly what his friend said  

Shiloh, having taken a moment to catch her breath, is greeted by the sight of a strange, armed man... whose longer, pointed ears immediately identified him as a wood elf; Shiloh could see his outline quite easily with her darkvision, a gift from her father's blood.

To say that she was unsure was generous; a wood elf who supposedly bore the name "John Smith"? Shiloh stared at the man for a moment, dubious of his intent; she certainly didn't believe him, and certainly didn't trust him after such a transparently obvious lie.

That, and she felt a bit nervous.  Shiloh had learned, early on, to be wary of pureblooded elves as a young girl, especially being a half-elf of drow blood. For reasons she hadn't been able to fathom until she was much older, not only were many like her viewed as outcasts beyond Brine, many elves viewed half bloods with an air of contempt. As a result, Shiloh was always a bit guarded with another elf around that she didn't know and didn't trust.

Despite that, her expression shifted to that of uncertain welcome as she walked up to him, her slightly-glowing eyes never leaving him. If she knew something was up, she was choosing not to make it an issue for now.

"It is a... pleasure to meet you, Mister Smith," Shiloh began, hoping to break the ice; there was no small amount of skepticism in her face if one looked carefully enough. "I'm afraid, however, that you'll find that the deer has been hunted and happy to know that we were able to largely defend ourselves. Thank you so much for bringing your blade to bear."

Sanzu starts going around to collect what they need from the gnolls, but keeps his eye on the newcomer. It's a bit hard to do both tasks in the dark, but he's had rougher jobs.

gives a bit of a smug smile to Shiloh* "Its Colonel, not mister; but I assure you your buck isn't my intent" *turns my attention to the halfling Milo* " Many.. many wars... but you don't wanna hear those... they are mostly sad, I'd prefer to make new stories and adventures" *directs this more at everyone* "You said the ears.... why the ears? Is there a reward for them?"

As you bleed out the buck and collect the gnoll ears....  milo gets the branches ready and tied to get that buck back to the village.... 

"Need any help buddy?" *tries to offer help to milo*

 Yes insight was a better choice... will use that next time .... thanks 

"No, no reward.... Why?", Nirev says uncomfortably.

"The ears are proof of the demise of the gnolls, although... I'm a bit worried that they're so close to town," Shiloh replied to "John", her eyes staring icily at the smug grin of the elf; there was no way that she was going to allow herself to be put down or made to feel terrible by this man for something that was in no way her fault; her origins. "They seem to be growing so bold of late. It is very worrisome."

Shiloh was very concerned at this stranger prying into their business. Just what were his goals...? She thought it over, trying to ascertain what his motives and intents were.

(Insight: 7 )

(OOC: Something just occurred to me... with the four gnolls dead, that should put us all 400 XP higher, right?)

 (I believe it would be 400 split between everyone? Unless DM Brockly reduced the CR to an easier fight, at which point it's up to him how much XP we would get.)

(He could also choose to use the "milestones" option for leveling)

"Thanks for the help Johnny!" Milo shouts, stumbling slightly over a twig. "These branches are a little big for me. Do you have any stories now?"

*cringes at the name johnny hating anytime names were made cutesy but can't help but smile at Milo remembering the young elves running around in his homeland* "oopps watch out there bud don't fall...hmmm stories..... unfortunately I don't have any that are coming to my head I'm not a bard afterall but I'm sure by the time we get to your desitnation I'll be able to come up with something... assuming of course I may tag a long at least for a while"